Dr. Sonya Faber

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Psychedelics

Psychedelic Science

Novel Therapies

An old and new approach for mental health and wellness.

Culturally-Informed Treatment Models
Cultural Appropriation
Access to Treatments by Marginalized Groups
Stigma due to Criminalization

Increasing Access

Research programs in psychedelic science and medicine are currently being developed at top institutions globally, paralleling the growth of public interest in the mental health potential of these substances.

Dr. Faber has developed expertise in clinical pharmacology particularly in regards to psychoactive and psychedelic pharmaceuticals, and has a specific interest in issues related to equity and access of psychedelic drugs as they are completing clinical trials establishing efficacy, clearing regulatory hurdles, and moving to market.

She has studied issues related to equity and access of psychedelics for racialized and otherwise marginalized groups, and noted priority areas of concern, including the need for culturally-informed approaches by clinicians for patients of color.

Psychedelics Are Medicine

Recent Talks

The Medical Psychedelics House of Davos makes a splash at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in May 2022. Read more.

At the From Research to Reality Conference in Toronto in May of 2022, Dr. Faber presented from Berlin on the need for psychedelic-assisted therapy in the Black community and the challenges of its equitable provision.

She was joined by co-presenter Dr. Darron Smith, and panelists Dr. Rick Doblin of MAPS, Dr. Daniel Buchman from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Rev. Dr. Jessica Rochester, and Dr. Dominique Morisono (chair).

Featured Articles

The Need for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Black Community and the Burdens of Its Provision

This paper, co-authored by Dr. Faber, explores psychedelic assisted-therapy and the potential benefits of these substances in addressing the sequelae of pervasive and frequent negative race-based experiences and promoting healing and thriving among Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC).

Citation: Front. Psychiatry 12, 774736. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.774736

Racial/Ethnic differences in prevalence for hallucinogen use by age cohort: Findings from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Fig. 2. Users of hallucinogens in the past year, divided by ethnoracial group within each age cohort

Approximately 15.9% of the U.S. population over age 12 had used a hallucinogen at some point in their lifetime and 2.0% had used in the past year. Lifetime hallucinogen use was most prevalent among White and multi-racial individuals, while Black Americans reported the lowest rates of use, contrary to negative racial stereotypes.

Citation: Journal of Psychedelic Studies 5, 2; 10.1556/2054.2021.00166

Organizational Leadership

Board of Directors

Dr. Faber serves on the Board of Directors of the non-profit Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, which focuses on the indigenous roots and cultural issues related to these substances.

Steering Committee

Dr. Faber also served on the steering committee for the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association, where she played a key role in its organizational development, selection of board members, and planning of diversity objectives.